Wynkoop Brewing made a splash earlier this fall when it announced it would produce Inaugurale, a special inaugural brew for Gov.-elect John Hickenlooper, who formerly owned the LoDo brew pub.

Today, they’ve released the artwork, as well as details on the brewing and distribution.

Marty Jones, who bills himself as the brew pub’s cheers leader/idea man, said the Wynkoop has produced one batch (about 40 kegs) and plans to begin serving it in commemorative glasses on Jan. 7. The Wynkoop will then avail the ale at allied establishments and better beer spots on or shortly after the Jan. 11 inaugural, he said.

“Here in the Napa Valley of craft- and micro-brewed beers it is not about how many you drink, it’s the quality of the beer you drink,” — Ben Davis

The brew is a hearty, extra-strength (7.5 percent alcohol) brown ale that features Colorado malt for its base malt, is aged in a bit of oak and includes Colorado beet sugar, “because no one could beet Hickenlooper,” said Jones. “Plus we were looking for a bad pun.”

Joey Bunch has been a reporter for 28 years, including the last 12 at The Denver Post. For various newspapers he has covered the environment, water issues, politics, civil rights, sports and the casino industry.